Wellspring of the Gospel

 

Year C: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 17-20,28-29

 

In the First Reading, the theme of humility is explored further - and, particularly the fact that the greater one is, the more humbly one should behave. In fact, if we look at truly great people, they very often do behave with a great humility. They are aware of their gifts - they have nothing to prove to themselves or to others and so can be at peace with themselves.

The following is a contemporary insight into the paradox of greatness and humility - taken from the Inaugural Speech of Nelson Mandela in 1994.

 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves
who am I to be brilliant, talented or fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't save the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God
that is within us.
It is not just in some of us:
it is in everyone.
And as we let our light shine
We unconsciously give other people permission to do same.
As we are liberated from our own fear
our presence automatically liberates others.

What does it mean for me?

Waterlily

         Text © 2006 Wellspring

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